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A friendship forged through a love of flags

Before Lane Elsberry steps inside Randolph Elementary School to start his day, the first-grader makes an important stop on the route from his parents’ car to the front door. He stops to help Stan Minchow, the school’s assistant custodial supervisor, raise the American and Nebraska flags outside the school’s 37th Street entrance.

“His grandfather is a veteran so flags mean a lot to this family,” said Lane’s mother, Lisa Elsberry.

Lane’s love of flags runs so deep that Lisa approached Minchow earlier this school year and asked if he’d mind a helper for the morning ritual. Ever since, Lane is there - every morning - waiting for Stan so he can help raise the flags.

“Sometimes if I’m busy I’ll leave the flags inside the front door so he can grab them and wait for me by the flagpoles,” Minchow said.

The bond with Minchow is just one example of the progress Lane has made since he started at Randolph last year as a kindergartner. Another example - fitting considering his love of flags - is that Lane can now recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

“You would be amazed at the growth he has shown in one year and the communication he’s learned in one year,” said Randolph Principal Monica Jochum.

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Lincoln Public Schools

Lincoln Public Schools is the second largest public school district in Nebraska, located in the heart of the plains, renowned for its long-standing legacy of educational excellence and tradition of rigorous academic achievement. The school district is growing and thriving, serving over 42,000 students in more than 60 schools and programs.

The Lincoln Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status or economic status in its programs, activities and employment.